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PCB Pirates soccer ready to open season on road

The Panama City Beach Pirates advanced to the playoffs for the first time in 2013.

File photo

By Jason Shoot | News Herald Writer

Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 02:53 PM.

PANAMA CITY BEACH -- The Panama City Beach Pirates are eager to begin their push for a second consecutive postseason appearance.

The Pirates, a member of the United Soccer League, begin their season Wednesday in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a first-round showdown with the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. The Battery reside in the USL Pro division, one level above the Pirates within the Premier Development League.

"We definitely feel privileged to be a part of it," Pirates coach Greg DeVito said. "We're very happy our record and efforts earned this place in the tournament. We're thrilled with the opportunity. It's definitely a great way to begin the season.

"We're just three days into the season, and we're definitely still learning each other's strengths and weaknesses and building relationships within the team in this first week. Every single player on the team is looking forward to the match. They're all aspiring professionals, and this is a way to indicate where we are as a team and individuals."

The Pirates will begin league play on Saturday on the road at Mississippi Brilla. PCB's first three league games are on the road, and the Pirates must wait until June 7 to play their first home game.

Six of the 20 players on the Pirates' roster played for PCB last year when it finished the season with a 10-3-1 record, worth second place in the USL's Southeast Division. The Pirates qualified for the Southern Conference championships and were ousted by the eventual USL champion Austin Aztex in the first round.

"Any time you reach the playoffs, the first idea is to get back to the same level or expand," said DeVito, who is returning for his third year as coach. "It will be very motivating this year to return to the playoffs. (Players must) come in with the mentality that we're going to begin at a certain level, and hopefully our performance will lead to good results and like last year will put us in the playoffs."

PANAMA CITY BEACH -- The Panama City Beach Pirates are eager to begin their push for a second consecutive postseason appearance.

The Pirates, a member of the United Soccer League, begin their season Wednesday in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a first-round showdown with the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. The Battery reside in the USL Pro division, one level above the Pirates within the Premier Development League.

"We definitely feel privileged to be a part of it," Pirates coach Greg DeVito said. "We're very happy our record and efforts earned this place in the tournament. We're thrilled with the opportunity. It's definitely a great way to begin the season.

"We're just three days into the season, and we're definitely still learning each other's strengths and weaknesses and building relationships within the team in this first week. Every single player on the team is looking forward to the match. They're all aspiring professionals, and this is a way to indicate where we are as a team and individuals."

The Pirates will begin league play on Saturday on the road at Mississippi Brilla. PCB's first three league games are on the road, and the Pirates must wait until June 7 to play their first home game.

Six of the 20 players on the Pirates' roster played for PCB last year when it finished the season with a 10-3-1 record, worth second place in the USL's Southeast Division. The Pirates qualified for the Southern Conference championships and were ousted by the eventual USL champion Austin Aztex in the first round.

"Any time you reach the playoffs, the first idea is to get back to the same level or expand," said DeVito, who is returning for his third year as coach. "It will be very motivating this year to return to the playoffs. (Players must) come in with the mentality that we're going to begin at a certain level, and hopefully our performance will lead to good results and like last year will put us in the playoffs."

A combine for prospective USL players is held annually in South Florida, and PCB hosted tryouts in late March to aid DeVito in his mission to fill out the roster. Goalkeeper Sean Lewis, who allowed only 11 goals in 14 games last year, is returning. Fort Walton Beach native Mikey Lightbourne is back for his third year after seeing his role expand with the team a year ago.

"Having Sean back is great," DeVito said. "He has tremendous ability in goal and great leadership. It's great any time you have a player with his experience, leadership and talent level. ... (Lightbourne) was young in his first year. He developed more in his second year, and he's going to develop more this year. He wants to be a pro, and his work rate and his ability are headed in the right direction."

Lightbourne provided two goals and an assist last year, and returning defender Andrew Beasley also scored twice. DeVito said Ricardo Oliveira, Brandon Barbero and Erik Pajunk also are back this year.

"This year we had a few holes to fill with players not able to return due to players signing pro contracts or life taking them in a different direction," DeVito said. "Each year (returning players) set the standard. The players who return communicate that standard and our expectations to the new players and helps them understand what's expected on and off the field."